SMA celebrates Army birthday with book reading

Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth Preston stopped by Fort Belvoir's North Post Child Development Center June 18 to help celebrate the Army's 234th birthday.

A 34-year veteran of the Army, Preston read "Sam the Army Dog" to a group of children before having some birthday cake with his young friends. Shane Hildebrand, one of the parents attending the reading, was flattered by Preston's visit.

"I think it's impressive that someone of his stature will take the time to come here and read to the kids," Hildebrand said. "He was a lot of fun and I know the children had a blast."
After thanking teachers and staff for all their hard work, Preston acknowledged that Belvoir is everything a community should be.

"I tell people that if you want to see what an Army post is all about, then you should visit Fort Belvoir," Preston said. "This is a great example of small-town U.S.A. The community is very inviting and I know the Army is very proud of this installation."

Preston, who did a similar reading last year at Walter Reed Medical Center, said it's always fun spending time with kids and that it was a pleasure visiting the center.
Lauren Enzweiler, director of the North Post CDC, presented Preston with a birthday card on behalf of all the children he read to and again thanked him for being the school's "very special guest."

"This went really well. He was personable and he got along great with the kids," Enzweiler said. "They didn't even have cake yet and they were so excited."

Sally Haskell, director of Belvoir's Child, Youth and School Services, said visits like this are a great way for the military to interact with children.

Additionally, while Preston read at the North Post CDC, Belvoir's Headquarters Battalion commander and command sergeant major, Lt. Col. Kevin McKenna and Command Sgt. Maj. Allison Smith, read
the birthday book to children at the South Post CDC.

Earlier in the day, children in CYSS' Family Child Care celebrated both the Army birthday and the birthday of the U.S. flag with its annual children's parade. The event, normally held outdoors on Pullen Field, took place in Specker Field House because of the day's rainy weather.